An Affidavit of Residence, sometimes called an Affidavit of Residency or Proof of Residency Letter, is a legal document that shows proof of where a person lives or lived. This Affidavit can be used to verify the residency of the affiant (the person making the Affidavit and vouching for the truthfulness of the statements in the Affidavit) and the residency of any individual currently living with the affiant. Schools, certain financial institutions, lenders, courts, and other entities may require proof of residency from time to time. This document can be used to satisfy such requests.
In the alternative, this Affidavit can be used to verify the residency of a deceased person. Upon death, certain agencies may require proof of residency prior to releasing funds or other monies owed to the deceased person. A copy of the death certificate may be required as an attachment to this Affidavit. The affiant will need to check with the business or agency requesting this Affidavit to confirm the need of a death certificate.
We’ve gathered some information below that will help you understand what is in this Affidavit of Residency and the information you might need to fill it out.
State and County
The person making the Affidavit of Residency will need to indicate the county and state where the Affidavit of Residency is being made. Choosing the correct state will ensure that the proper notarization information will be included in the document.
Name of Person Making the Affidavit of Residence
The full name and permanent address of the person making the Affidavit of Residence should be included in the document. The person making the Affidavit may wish to provide their name as it appears on the official form of identification they plan to present to the notary public.
Deceased Person’s Information
The full name and address of the deceased person for whom the Affidavit of Residence relates should be included in the document, along with the number of years the deceased individual lived in the state of their last residence and the date of their death.
County, State, and Length of Residence
The person making the Affidavit of Residence (and attesting to the statements made in it) is called the “affiant.” The county, state, and length of residence may be needed to fill out the Residency Affidavit. Naming anyone living with the affiant may also be required.
Where the Affidavit Will Be Signed
Include the county and state where you plan to sign the Affidavit.
Statement Under Oath
The statement of facts section in the affidavit provides context to what is being sworn to. The person creating the affidavit (the “affiant”) should make certain that what they are attesting to is the truth and be prepared to swear upon its authenticity in court if necessary. If the information turns out to be false, the affiant risks prosecution for the crime of perjury or giving false statements under oath.
In an Affidavit of Residence, the affiant is stating the following is true to the best of their knowledge and belief:
- The affiant lives at the given address, county, and state.
- The listed individuals live with the affiant.
- The affiant is not making the Affidavit for an improper purpose.
For Affidavits of Residence relating to the death of a person, the affiant would be stating the following is true to the best of their knowledge and belief:
- The affiant is of lawful age and the affiant’s address, including county and state.
- The affiant is a disinterested party in the estate of the deceased person.
- The deceased person’s given address at the time of their death.
- The deceased person’s given state of residence and duration of residence in that state at the time of death.
- The deceased did not live in any other state during that time.
Signatures and Copies
After completing the interview, read the entire Affidavit of Residence to make sure it meets your intentions.
Once the Affidavit of Residence is in its final form, you can print, date and sign the Affidavit in front of a notary public. This Affidavit will not be a sworn statement and cannot be filed with the court until it is signed in front of a notary public.
